Schools Class "Cheltenham"

Ok purely from obsevation and little technical knowledge. The Schools were built for running, not slow speed slogging. The big trains up from Hastings had the advantage of a good run at the bank to Wadhurst, the down heavy trains would rarely stop at Tonbridge and a quote from an ex driver was we got up to High Brooms at speed by going over the junction at 35mph at Tonbridge. Loads of power and four big drivers was always going to limit adhesion as the NYMR found out, early probs with balancing was sorted and by its second stint in the 90's 30926 was doing some good work from Grosmont, although a big slip somewhere on the bank seemed the norm, as the NYMR crews fine tuned their technique she now seems to have settled into a very competant performer and quoted form a NYMR driver she will happily take 8 up in the right hands. The T9 is a very differant kettle of fish and were always very light on their feet. With the small trains on the Mid-Hants 30925 will have few probs, although on a damp October morning the last stretch to Medstead will always be fun for the crews whatever they are crewing.

 

Work on the NYMR also included regularising the gradient between Grosmont and Goathland.
Last winters Br 30 work eliminated a 1 - 55 / 1-35 dip over the bridge, now a continuous 1 - 49.
Work at Darnholm also eliminated a short 3 length stretch of about 1 - 20 over bridge 28.
I seem to remember a lot of locos used to have problems just there.
Curve easing has also helped a bit.

Repton looked fine in Whitby station this afternoon ready for the climb back home.

 

sorry to bring this subject back up again, but when does she leave york for eastleigh, and is there any idea of how long she will be at eastleigh for? i take it she is just going to be assessed and have asbestos removed will there be any restoration work actually done, or will that be done at ropley, or is the plan to restore her to steam at eastleigh then tow her to the Mid hants?

 

I understand from the SR article it is going to Eastleigh for asbestos removal then to Ropley for restoration.

 

Is that right ?

Once I've got it they'll have to pry it out of my hands

(fiendish chuckle)

 

Things seem to have gone a bit quiet on this move. Anyone know what's happening?

 

It'll be on the move in a few weeks

 

As one who watched and even got some photos of the Schools Class at work in the early 1960s I would like to add to the hill climbing debate.

One of my photos shows a Schools on 13 coaches heading West from Redhill on the line over Gomshall Bank to Guildford on the Birkenhead train. Another has a note I wrote on the back of the photo that the Schools I photographed was drifting into Redhill at the head of 14 coach Inter Regional train. Over that route with the slow restricted start out of Guildford 14 cars would be a challlenge for any BR steam locomotive.

 

Left the NRM today en route to its birthplace

 

Its off to Cheltenham? lol

 

I'm looking forward to hearing the outcome of this...

 

As far as I understand , it is due very shortly for asbestos removal paid for by the MHR.

I also am led to believe that this Loco had a full general overhaul around 1962 only to be withdrawn a few years later . Remember it ha been stored away from the elements for many years now so there should not, (touch wood),be too much wrong with it.

Regards
Chris

 

So she is on her way to Eastleigh, or the MHR, or what? Is there a rough time-frame?

 

Eastleigh, to go into the works tomorrow. Time frame elastic otherwise...

 

Exciting stuff!!

 

Eastleigh first for asbestos removal , and if all is well on to Ropley on the MHR.

No timescale at present I,m afraid, though she has been inspected at the NRM by officials from the MHR and it was a good report I understand.

Regards
Chris:

 

Cool...she being moved by road yea?

 

Roaded to Eastleigh, then tripped into the works by rail

 

Exciting! I do love me a Schools